Weather frustrates Australian victory hopes

Follow over-by-over coverage of the third Test taking place at Old Trafford

England saved the follow on and then were saved by the weather on a slightly frustrating day's cricket at Old Trafford - in case you missed any of it, we look at the top performers with bat and ball.

England appeared to move a step closer to retaining the Ashes after bad light ended day four of the third Investec Test against Australia prematurely.

Australia 527-7 dec England 294-7: Tourists are still on top despite star turn's disciplined century, but with bad weather forecast England can clinch the series at Old Trafford

With Cook's side still not at their best, KP century shows that there is plenty of resilience to go with the skill

Yorkshire 302 Warwickshire 221-8 (Yorkshire lead by 81 runs)

The Aussie Angle: Wicketkeeper's blinding catch shows sticky start to series is behind him

Bowler of the day Is there a better bowler in county cricket than Graham Onions? Statistically, the Sussex duo, Steve Magoffin and Chris Jordan, are leading the way this season, both passing the milestone of 50 first-class wickets in the match with Derbyshire. But they have only done what Onions has been doing year-on-year in a career in which he now has more than 400 first-class wickets following his 7 for 62 as Middlesex were dismissed for 168 at Lord's. Indeed, it is his favourite ground – outside his home patch at Chester-le-Street – having now taken 42 wickets from eight matches. The battle between Onions and Steven Finn, his England rival, has made for an intriguing sub-plot. Each dismissed the other, Finn getting Onions in both Durham's innings.

England fought back at Old Trafford but Australia remained on top on the third day - in case you missed any of it, we look at the top performers with bat and ball.

The best images from the third day of action at Old Trafford

Follow over-by-over coverage of the third Test taking place at Old Trafford

Australia 527-7 dec England 52-2

Graeme Swann defended his team-mate Tim Bresnan's poor use of technology and insisted the mistake was not enough to dent England's chances of sealing the Ashes with victory here.

The Aussie Angle: The more he props up the top order, the wider the gap appears

Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell face an unexpectedly severe examination